Despite problems with high-end properties throughout Las Vegas, the poshest of them all, the south Strip's CityCenter complex, continues to roll toward a late-2009 debut. Crystals, CityCenter's half-million-square-foot mall, is set to open Dec. 3. The shops on the roster include Cartier, Prada, Christian Dior, Bulgari, Hermés, Versace, Louis Vuitton and Tiffany, along with Las Vegas first-timers Tom Ford, Assouline, Kiton, Miu Miu, Paul Smith and Porsche Design.

Opening Dec. 4 is the 47-story Mandarin Oriental. Positioned at the entrance to CityCenter, this non-casino hotel's Sky Lobby and check-in area are on the 23rd floor, with a panoramic view of the Strip. The Mandarin has 392 rooms and suites and 227 residences; the Sky Lobby separates the hotel rooms (below) and the residences (above).

The Mandarin Las Vegas will begin accepting room reservations Aug. 17. Other parts of CityCenter, including an Elvis-themed Cirque du Soleil show, will open in 2010.

NOVEMBER NINE: The final-table players in the World Series of Poker's Main Event have been determined. The nine players about to become household names in poker circles are led by Maryland logger Darvin Moon, with almost 59 million in chips, 25 million more than the second-biggest stack. Last in the field is James Akenhead with 7 million. Perhaps the world's top player, Phil Ivey, sits in seventh with 10 million. The players will reconvene for the final table Nov. 7.

SUPER COUPONS: If you're not already a member of the Silverton's players club, head over and join to get Las Vegas' current best funbook. It's filled with restaurant twofers and powerful gambling coupons good for both table games and the machines.

Is the Foundation Room at Mandalay Bay still open to the public on Monday nights? What's the admission fee?

The swanky semi-private club atop Mandalay Bay is experimenting with an open-every-night policy. The public is admitted after 11 p.m. for a $20 cover.

Find out about Las Vegas shows, buffets and deals at www.LasVegasAdvisor.com.